Sprinkler system and electrical control therefor



y 1951 H. N. RIDER 2,561,229

SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1950 l 8 LATIO INVENTQR. Harry /V /P/0e/r BY W W y 17, 1951 H. N. RIDER 2,561,229

SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL THEREFOR Filed June 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig-5- IN V EN TOR. fiar/"y/l/ Elder:

A OIP/VEX July 17, 1951 H. N. RIDER 2,561,229

SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL THEREFOR Filed June 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 w h E Q g N 1'? E l *8 m q Q \Q n ii 5| R Q g? \B\ fi-R I INVENTOR.

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Patented July 17, 1951 SPRINKLER srsrEM AND ELECTRICAL common THEREFOR V 7 Harry N'fi-fiider -Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Automatic? Sprinkler- Corpprationiofflm ricas Youngstowmfihim a corporation of Delaware Application June 3, 1950; Serial No. 165,957

This invention relates to a sprinkler system of thedry pipe type and one which utilizes-an electrically controlled' valve and in which the. controlling electrical circuitsis conducted by the: piping of the sprinker system itself. 1

The principal object ofthe, inventionv is the provision of an automatic sprinkler-system :in' Which the pipingiorms an electricalconductor for a circuit controlling theactuationiof the sprinkler system;

A further-object-of-the invention is the pro-i vision of= a sprinkler-system incorporating; auto matic valve means; distributingpiping and heatfusible sprinklers on-saidpiping, an electric-com trolling circuit being carried-by said piping and shunted through portionsof each of said Sprin klerswhereby fusing and opening of any one of the said sprinklers interrupts the-current normally I carried by the said piping and sprinklers-and results in the actuation-of the sprinklersystem. 1

A'still' further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sprinkler-system and an electrically actuated control means therefor responsive in operation to the fusing f'a'spr in-- kler in' the' said sprinkler systemandincorporating time delaying means permittinganalarm'to' be givenin advance to -delivery of fire extinguish-- in'g' fluid to the said' sprinkler.

A still further-object ofi the invention is theprovision of :a sprinkler system incorporating; distributing piping inthe formof amodified loop and adapted to act as a conductor for :an electric current, the said distributing piping includingfittings of 'non-econducting material; each" of: which has current:carryingshunt* means thereabout' controllable-by: fusible sprinklers in: communication with saidrpiping whereby: actuation of one of' the said sprinklers results in interruptingthe electricnurrent normally flowing through the piping ofthesprinkler system and'the shunts about-the non-conducting fittings thereinand the opening of an electrically actuated control valve responsive to" the interru'ption of the-said controlling current.

The sprinkler'system disclosed herein is of the so-called dry pipe. type;- wherein the;distributing piping. of the sprinklersystem isnormally empty andthe fire extinguishing fluid supply incom munication therewith is controlled by anautomaticallyactuated valve. Many and various types of dry pipe systems are known in the artincluding those wherein the distributing piping is charged-with compressed air and theventingof which,'as-by theopening or -fusing ofa sprin kler on the*piping,"releases the compressed air and results in the openingof the-valve.- Other types of dry pipe sprinkler systems include those wherein heat-actuated thermostatic devices are located" in the fire zoneand which are in turn connected With-theautomatic valve which opens responsive to their actuation. Such devices as known in the art'are of both electrical and pneumatic types.

The present invention relates to a dry pipe sprinkler systemin which the distributing piping isempty but in which no-compresesd air is maintained' and the necessity ofair compressing equipment is thereforeeliminated In the present sprinklersystem-there are no separate and distinct-heat "actuated thermostatic devices in the fire-zone and hence nointerconnecting communication means such aspnuematic tubing or electrical conductors;

In'the presentlydisclosedsystem a simple form Of automatic-"valve is in communication with a fiuidsupply source and distributing piping in the fire zone communicates with theautomaticvalve preferably in the nature of a loop-from the valve out into the fire zoneand back to the valve with various sprinklersnormally closed provided along the distributing piping and veach 'of which sprinklers hasthe usual fusible" element to provide'forthe automatic opening of the sprinkler uponthe fusible -element reaching predetermined temperature; for example; 165.

' The distributingpiping of the presently disclosed 'sprinkl'er system may be formed of any material capable of conducting an electrical current. However, the fittings which connect the distributing piping withthe sprinklers are formed of non-conducting material and each of the sprinklers and particularly the levers thereof which drop out upon the fusing of the sprinkler are connected :by shunt conductors with the piping of the sprinkler system so that an electrical current connected with the piping of the sprinkler system wi1l'flow through the piping until it reaches one 0f :thenon-condu'cting fittings carrying asprinklerat which time the shunt conductors will carry--the-current around the non-conductingfitting and throughthe normally engaged fifi inatter be described- The sprinklersystem disclosed herein will thus be seen to provide a simple and eificient construction novel in the art.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the sprinkler system.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the automatic valve shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a modified form of the sprinkler system.

By referring to the drawings and Figure 1 in particular it will be seen that the sprinkler system comprises an automatic valve II having an inlet H and an outlet I2 and the inlet thereof in communication with a fluid supply source I3. The outlet I2 is in communication with a distributing pipe I4 preferably arranged in a loop and including a T fitting l5 formed of non-conducting material such as Saran plastic. Saran is a thermoplastic, long chain, vinylidene chloride plastic produced by the polymerization of vinylidene chloride (CH2=CI2) alone or with other monomers. The distributing piping is provided at intervals with fittings I6 also formed of nonconducting material and each of which fittings I6 is in the form of a T and carries a normally closed sprinkler II. Each of the sprinklers II includes a pair of levers I8 which are normally held in predetermined position by a fusible link I9. A valve 2!] in the sprinkler is held in closed position by the levers I8 and opens upon fusing of the fusible link I9 which permits the levers I8 to fall out of the frame of the sprinkler I1.

Electrical conductors 2I2I are connected with the levers I 8 and the distributing piping I4 on either side of the insulating fitting I 6. Electrical current flowing in the distributing piping I4 thus travels around the insulating fitting I6 by way of the conductors 2I and the levers I8 when the levers I8 are in position in the sprinkler II. It will be understood that the piping I4 may include a desired number of the fittings I5 and the sprinklers I1, each of which provide an electrical shunt in the manner hereinbefore de scribed.

In order that a suitable electrical current can be established in the distributing piping I4, a transformer 22 is connected with a power source 23 and with the distributing piping I4 and provides a suitable voltage, for example, 24 volts A. C. Connection is established between the transformer 22 and the distributing piping I4 by a conductor 24 and a clamp 25. A conductor 26 connects the transformer 22 with the distributing piping I4 by way of a relay 2? and a clamp 28. The relay 2'! is of a constant duty type and is normally energized by the current flowing from the transformer 22 through the distributing piping I4. The rela 2! controls contacts 21A. The circuit controlled by the relay 2! is used to open the automatic valve I0.

By referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the automatic valve I0 is of the difierential type and comprises an improvement in the art as set forth in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 150,478 on Automatic Deluge Valve and includes the body member ID which defines a chamber 29 communicating with the inlet II and the outlet I2. A clapper 30 is arranged for vertical movement and is carried on the lower end of a tubular stem 3I, the upper end of which extends into a differential chamber 32 and is secured by means of a plate 33 and a fitting 34 to a diaphragm 35. The diaphragm 35 is positioned across the differential chamber 32 and communication is established between the differential chamber 32 and the inlet I I of the valve by way of a passageway 36 in the tubular stem 3| of the device.

A coil spring 31 normally urges the stem 3I and the clapper 3D upwardly so as to open the inlet I I and fluid pressure from the inlet l i acting on the upper surface of the diaphragm 35 normally resists the tendency of the spring 3'! and holds the clapper 3E) closed. The valve is operated by venting fiuid pressure from the differential chamber 32 by way of a solenoid valve 38, the capacity of the solenoid 38 and the vent lines in communication therewith being greater than a restricted orifice 39 in the fitting 34 which establishes communication between the tubular stem 3| and the differential chamber 32. Thus, as long as fiuid pressure from the inlet II is confined in the differential chamber 32 the clapper 30 remains closed. When fluid pressure is vented from the chamber 32 as upon the operation of the valve 38, the spring 31 opens the clapper 30 and permits fluid from the supply source I3 to flow into the distributing piping I 4.

An electrical circuit for actuating the solenoid valve 38 is provided and is controlled by the relay 21. The circuit is illlustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings by the conductors 4| and 43. Still referring to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be seen that the conductor 4| establishes connection between the power source 23 and the solenoid valve 38 and between the solenoid valve 38 and a time delay switch 42. The conductor 43 extends from the time delay switch 42 to the control contacts 21A of the relay 21 and to the power source so that upon actuation of the relay 21, as heretofore described, current flows through the conductor 43 to the time delay switch 42 which is then energized and which eventually closes contacts 42A after a delay of one minute, for example, and thus energizes the solenoid valve 38 by way of the conductor 4| and actuates the automatic valve Ii! to release fire extinguishing fiuid into the distributing piping I4. Simultaneously with the actuation of the relay 21 an alarm (either visual or audible or both and illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings as comprising a bell 44) is energized so that an alarm may be given in advance of the opening of the automatic valve Ill. The bell 44 is connected with the conductor II by means of a conductor 43A and with the power source by a conductor 45. It will be observed that the actuating element of the time delay switch 42 is also connected between the conductors 43A and 45 and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the time delay switch may comprise any device operating for this purpose and that its construction is not necessarily limited to the thermal acting time delay switch illustrated.

It will thus be seen that the normal condition of the sprinkler system is as illlustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The automatic valve Iii is closed, the distributing piping I4 is empty, the sprinklers H are normally closed with the levers assua e l I in-- position aswilliistrated and the' shunt eonductors' l i -=2 lsfoperatively connected thereto' and to the' distributing: piping $14 so that a? our-rent from? the' -transformer 22 fiows 1throughuthe conductor 24, the distributing piping M land around each of the ispringssl l' by the sh u'ntrcircuits" comprising the "conductors 21 andi. the levers [Sa as heretoforedescribed-1'" The. current I path is through the relay- 2 1-; the control: contacts of which are-normally :open; Upon the fusing of one of the sprinklers I? the currient path'through deener'gized which results in the ''closing'zof the normally open control contacts therein and: es-

tablishment" 'of the circuit thro'ugh' th'e'fi conductors 43 "thealarm-devide "44 and1'the time delay switch 42 --Upon-=operationuof= the'-time-delay switch :42 contacts-42A thereof are closed to send th'eourrent through the conductorsz-43 and iiand energize the solenoid valve 38.

Upon-de energ-ization of the coil 38 the clapper 38 thereof is elevated as heretofore described permitting fire extinguishing? :fiiiidlfrom the supply source -i to. flow through the valve. 1 5; and into the distributing piping 'l4 and through the -sprinklers I1. The system will remain in operation until manuallysn'ut ofibythe replacement of the fused: sprinklers l1 and thelresetting of' thel refe lay K2 T5 fit being understood that manually' ioperated valves (not shown) are provided in the supply source l3 so that the fluid supply may be shut off from the sprinkler system when desired.

Modifications in the sprinkler system herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, one of the conductors 2| in the shunt circuit may be made of fusible wire adapted to fuse at a lower temperature than the fusible link IQ of the sprinkler so that an alarm well in advance of the operation of the sprinkler system may be given. Under such operation, the system becomes a preaction sprinkler system, fire extinguishing fluid being released by the automatic control valve into the distributing piping and is, therefore, at hand at such time as the sprinklers ll fuse and open.

A further modification in the sprinkler system may be seen in the substitution of a simple solenoid actuated valve for the automatic valve l0. Such an alternate form of sprinkler system is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings and by referring thereto it will be seen that a water supply source is indicated by the numeral 48 in communication with a solenoid valve 49 and distributing piping 50. A fitting 5| of non-conducting material connects the solenoid valve 49 with the distributing piping 5D. Fittings 52 of nonconducting material carry sprinklers 53 having levers 54 with shunt circuit conductors 55 connected therethrough to establish a shunt around the fitting 52. A transformer 56 is employed and. conductors 51 establish connection with the transformer 56 and the distributing piping 50. A constant duty relay 58 is cut into one of the conductors 51 and acts to normally hold its control circuit contacts 59 open. Conductors 60 from the control circuit contacts connect a power source 5| and the solenoid valve 49 so that upon the closing of the contacts 59 by de-energization of the relay 58 the solenoid valve 49 is energized and opens to admit fire extinguishing fluid to the distributing piping 50.

It will thus be seen that the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings substitutes a solenoid valve for the differential type automatic valve as disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 -ee theurawin s-anu indicated by ths nu meral I0 and provides that i the water suppl y be coI'ltl bl'l'ed difbtlyby alsolenoid valveor suflicient capacity." This atter form of sprinkler systffiis less 5 ex ensrve in :"c'onstructio than: 'the prefferred rorm andf: can" be -us'ed 'where: a limited number-or SpninkIerS areeXpectEli to open" to' colftroli a fire and where economy iii-installation "is important: 7

lt will thus bseh that the sprinkiewsystem disclosed hre-irflmeets the several cbjects onthe inventicminlthauitprovides alrortheadvantages in a dry pipe and/or preaction sprinkler sy'stem without"; the attendant auxiliary? devices such as air compressors; pneuin'a'tic and electric *thermofstatic control 'systems an'd 'ex'pens 'e" automatic valve'siheretoforebelievedmecessai'y i' the foima tion of--'such sprinkler system's: The result'ing sp'rinklerrsystem isg therefore capable :"of being :install'edjn: various oceupancies 'as =indicated'-and wheref-relativelysmall: and in'azp'ensive systems are 'desired' for "example; residential properties, small businesses;;retailsales rooms;--bui1dings and the like; r

Having thus describedmy invention; what I claimd'sr 1.:-A sprinkler systemcomprising distributing piping-i in a fire zonegarrautematic valve iri com munication: with a fluid supply source and said distributing piping, dielectric fittings connecting the said distributing piping and the said automatic valve and dielectric fittings in the said piping carrying normally closed sprinklers in-- cluding fusible separable parts, electrical conductors establishing shunt circuits about said dielectric fittings and through said fusible separable parts of said sprinklers, means establishing an electrical circuit through said distributing piping, shunt circuits and said fusible separable parts of said sprinklers, a relay in said circuit, a solenoid valve on said automatic valve, said automatic valve responsive in opening to the said solenoid valve, a secondary electrical circuit connecting said solenoid valve with said relay, the said solenoid valve responsive in operation to the de-energization of said relay as occasioned by the fusing of one of the said sprinklers and the breaking of the shunt circuit therethrough.

2. The sprinkler system set forth in claim 1 and further characterized by the inclusion of a time delay switch in the said secondary electrical circuit whereby the opening of the said automatic valve is delayed with respect to the fusing of the said sprinkler.

3. The sprinkler system set forth in claim 1 and further characterized by an alarm in connection with said secondary electrical circuit and a time delay switch in said secondary electrical circuit and operable to delay the operation of the said automatic valve with respect to the operation of the said relay to provide for an alarm in advance of the actuation of the said automatic valve.

4. A sprinkler system comprising distributing piping in a fire zone, a plurality of insulating fittings in said distributing pipin and heat fusible sprinklers in said fittings, electrical connectors connecting said piping to fusible portions of said sprinklers and establishing shunt circuits about said fittings, a fluid supply source and a normally closed automatic valve establishing communication between said distributing piping and said fluid supply source and insulated from said distributing piping, means for establishing an electrical circuit through said distributing piping and the said shunt circuits and the said sprinklers, said means comprising a suitable power source in electrical connection with said piping, a relay in series connection with said power source and normally energized by said circuit in said distributing piping, a solenoid valve in communication with said automatic valve, said automatic valve responsive in opening to said solenoid valve, secondary circuits establishing electrical connection between said solenoid valve and said relay, the said solenoid valve responsive in operation to the de-energization of the said relay.

5. A sprinkler system comprising distributing pipin arranged in a loop, a source of fire extinguishing fluid and an automatic valve establishing communication between said source of fire extinguishing fluid and the said distributing piping and connection means electrically insulating the said automatic valve from the said distributing piping, a plurality of insulating fittings in said distributing piping and normally closed sprinklers including separable parts in said fittings, electrical connectors connecting said piping to said separable parts of said sprinklers and forming shunt circuits therethrough whereby the electrical circuit flows through the said loop, a relay in series connection insaid electrical circuit and responsive in operation to breaking of the said circuit as by fusing of one of the said sprinklers, a secondary electrical circuit connecting said relay and said automatic valve and said automatic valve responsive in operation to said relay.

6. The sprinkler system set forth in claim 5 and further characterized by the inclusion of a time delay switch in the said secondary electrical circuit whereby the opening of the said automatic valve is delayed with respect to the fusing of the said sprinkler.

7. The sprinkler system set forth in claim 5 and further characterized by an alarm in connection with said secondary electrical circuit and a time delay switch in said secondary electrical circuit and operable to delay the operation of the said automatic valve with respect to the operation of the said relay to provide for an alarm in advance of the actuation of the said automatic valve.

HARRY N. RIDER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Lewis May 10, 1949 Number 

